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UCO Museum Studies Features Central History in New Exhibit

museum studies junior, Tabitha Gibson

The University of Central Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts has unveiled its inaugural exhibition in a newly acquired, state-of-the-art display case. Located on the first floor of the UCO Liberal Arts building, this new case will serve as a platform for exhibits based on collections housed at the UCO Laboratory of History . . .  read more

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Faculty Honored at 2023 CLA Faculty and Staff Awards

Congratulations to the honorees of the 2023 College of Liberal Arts Faculty and Staff Awards!

 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award – Alyssa Provencio

The year’s recipient of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award truly embodies each of those in her scholarship, service, and teaching. Dr. Alyssa Provencio has researched systemic inequities impacting marginalized groups and support structures for graduate students of color. She has served in a variety of crucial roles on campus: Faculty Senate President, Director of the Leadership Minor, and equity advocate for Academic Affairs. With her teaching, Dr. Provencio uses anti-racist pedagogy, addresses issues of access and inclusion in the online environment, and empowers students from diverse backgrounds. In Dr. Provencio’s own words, she remains dedicated to deepening her engagement with EDI, pursuing new avenues of research, and spearheading initiatives aimed at cultivating a more just and inclusive community.

 

Outstanding Scholarly/Creativity – Rebecca Quoss-Moore

With great pleasure and admiration, we celebrate an individual whose dedication, passion, and tireless pursuit of scholarly excellence have left an indelible mark on our institution and the academic community at large. Throughout the past year, she has distinguished herself through a remarkable array of accomplishments in the field of early modern studies, literature and feminist thought. From the publication of the groundbreaking book. Gender and Position-Taking in Henrician Verse, to the dissemination of scholarly insights through articles, conference presentations, and public-facing platforms, her contributions have been nothing short of extraordinary. She also applied for and received a substantial grant to design and implement a new archival studies course. Beyond her impressive scholarly achievements, she has also demonstrated a deep commitment to mentorship, fostering student-led research, and nurturing a culture of academic engagement within the English Department and the College of Liberal Arts. Rebecca Quoss-Moore’s leadership, guidance, and unwavering support have inspired colleagues and students alike to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of knowledge. In recognition of their outstanding contributions to scholarship, mentorship, and academic community-building, it is my honor to present this award to Rebecca, whose exemplary record of research and scholarly activities serves as an inspiration to us all.

 

Outstanding Scholarly/Creativity – Laura Dumin

She is an amazing trailblazer in the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. With an unwavering commitment to fostering ethical AI practices and leveraging technology for academic enrichment, she has emerged as a beacon of innovation in the scholarly community. In 2023, her exceptional contributions soared to new heights as she embarked on a journey of prolific creative and scholarly endeavors. At the forefront of her accomplishments stands her groundbreaking work on “Developing Ethical AI and LLM Use-Guidelines in the Classroom,” showcased as a sole author at the University of Victoria AI Club conference. Laura’s dedication to shaping the ethical landscape of AI extends beyond borders, as evidenced by her engagements such as the pivotal presentation at the Davinci Institute Fall Forum, where she served as a keynote speaker and moderator. Her influence reverberates across diverse platforms, from prestigious academic conferences to collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing pedagogical paradigms. Collaborating with esteemed colleagues, she has explored the nexus of AI and academic integrity. Moreover, her insights on “AI introduction” and “Using AI purposefully in the classroom” have left an indelible mark on faculty development programs at institutions like the University of Arkansas at Monticello and especially here at UCO. She is our campus’s go-to person on AI and pedagogy. As a prolific author, her contributions transcend conventional boundaries. Her forthcoming chapters in esteemed publications such as “Teaching and Gen AI” and an edited book for Vernon Press underscore her profound impact on the discourse surrounding AI in education. Complementing her scholarly pursuits, Laura’s thought leadership extends to the digital realm, with thought-provoking articles delving into the nuanced intersections of AI, neurodiversity, and professorial experiences. Laura Dumin’s ‘commitment to inclusive education is exemplified by her active involvement in initiatives addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) concerns within AI frameworks. From co-writing chapters on DEI concerns to serving as a moderator for student panels discussing AI usage, Laura’s advocacy for equitable AI practices resonates deeply within academic circles. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the advancement of scholarly discourse and ethical AI implementation, Laura Dumin epitomizes the spirit of academic excellence and innovation. As we celebrate her achievements, we honor her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her transformative impact on the future of education.

 

Outstanding Service – Jerry Green

As a scholar, he has specialized in ancient Greek philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and ethical epistemology. His vocations outside the university include being a practiced percussionist, an avid gardener, and devout student of the mythology in the Star Wars universe. But this year we recognize him for his incredible devotion to service for his department, college, university, and profession. Dr. Jerry Green has dedicated himself to numerous service activities including most visibly as the Parliamentarian for the Faculty Senate, advisory board member for the 21st Century Pedagogy Institute, and programming committee member for the American Association of Philosophy Teachers. He recently served as the co-organizer for the highly successful first Oklahoma Philosophy Day which drew students from across the state to our college. He’s also an unsung hero for the enormous work he conducts quietly behind the scenes to support students and colleagues through such activities as writing and reviewing curriculum changes.

 

Outstanding Teaching – Mark Scott

He has taught broadcasting courses at UCO for sixteen years. He is consistently passionate about teaching students. He prepares them for rewarding careers by placing them in real world situations. He continuously recrafts his courses and even develops new ones in order to cover rapidly developing technologies. He has successfully partnered with the Academy of Contemporary Music to create opportunities for Mass Comm and ACM students to collaborate as part of his Advanced Video Production course. Last Spring, his students produced five episodes of a documentary style performance of a music program titled, Soundcheck. Mark Scott also plays a key role in covering college and professional sports. For example, he has assigned his students to incorporate social media as a strategy to cover the Oklahoma City Thunder and other area sports organizations. He has consistently received rave reviews from his students. For example, one recently noted, “Mark Scott is awesome! He has a passion for what he teaches and he brings that to class with him everyday. You can tell he’s very experienced and has a lot of wisdom. I would take his class over and over again if I had the chance. I learned so much!”

 

Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member – G Pace

She has served as an adjunct in Sociology, Gerontology and Substance Abuse Studies at UCO for 30 years. She was instrumental in writing curriculum for the Substance Abuse Studies program in the ‘80’s. In 2011, she was asked again to write curriculum. She created and teaches courses now called Sociology of Trauma and Counseling Trauma for graduate students. She has a Master of Education from UCO in Counseling Psychology and holds a variety of professional credentials. She is a licensed alcohol drug counselor (LADC), a licensed professional Counselor (LPC) and a diplomate in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Professor G Pace is the foremost authority in the state of Oklahoma for trauma-informed care speaking at a variety of venues to professionals and future professionals. She consistently takes additional training in psychotherapy so she can give her clients and students the most current information available. She is the co-founder and executive director of HAVEN (Help All Violence End Now) and continues to provide psychotherapy in her private practice. One of her former students reported that Professor Pace is an outstanding educator who strives to be a lifelong learner herself. She researches the latest data and counseling techniques so that she can pour a wealth of knowledge into her students. She inspires future counselors to always walk in someone’s shoes before passing judgment.

 

Outstanding
 . . .  read more

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The Importance of Sleep

By: Faith Brooks

Sleep is vital, yet it is very commonly overlooked in today’s society due to many factors. Getting healthy sleep routinely is extremely significant because it increases mental health, mood, cognitive functioning, metabolic health, cardiovascular health, etc. (Ramar K, 2021). Not getting the proper amount of sleep recommended can increase the chances of individuals eventually having health problems that include obesity, heart disease, dementia, etc. In this blog, I will specifically go into how sleep dramatically affects athletic performance and cognitive function while also explaining simple steps you can take to improve your overall sleep quality.

Athletic Performance

In the general population, sleep is quite important, however concerning an athlete’s sleep it is even more important for performing at optimal levels. For an athlete to truly perform or obtain a high level of performance, prioritizing a healthy sleep pattern can increase many factors like time, accuracy, endurance, strength, cognitive function, etc. To be more specific, healthy sleep should be the foundation of an athlete’s routine and be included in training routines to improve exercise recovery and performance (Vitale KC, 2019).

Cognitive Function

Optimal cognitive function is essential to living a productive and healthy life. Our cognitive ability is something we rely upon very heavily each day. As we go through our lives as students, employees, friends, spouses, and family members it’s understood that having optimal cognitive function is in our best interest. Time after time it has been shown and proven in studies that one of the quickest ways to drastically decrease our cognitive performance is a lack of sleep. To be more specific, lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can cause negative effects on “memory, attention, alertness, judgment, decision-making, and overall cognitive abilities” (Khan MA, 2023). As you can see a lack of sleep can cause a large array of negative side effects. However, if you flip the script and make sleep quality a higher priority you can see a significant boost in these subunits that overall make up cognitive performance as a whole.

Improving your sleep quality

There are simple steps you can take to improve your sleep quality. A simple trick that I have used to help improve my sleep quality is the 3-2-1 method. In the 3-2-1 method, the numbers refer to when you should stop doing certain things that many hours before bed. Three stands for no more large meals at least 3 hours before bed. The two stands for no more water at least two hours before bed. Lastly, the one means no more screen time or bright lights one hour before bed. These are simple ways to help improve sleep quality. This method can improve many factors that correlate with sleep quality. To be more specific, steps done in this method can improve heart rate variability (HRV) which in turn improves sleep quality (Sajjadieh A, 2020). Overall it has been my primary objective in this blog to help you see the importance of sleep while also leaving you with a simple method that you can implement tonight to start facilitating better athletic performance and cognitive abilities.

References

Khan MA, Al-Jahdali H. The consequences of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2023 Apr;28(2):91-99. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2023.2.20220108. PMID: 37045455; PMCID: PMC10155483.

Ramar K, Malhotra RK, Carden KA, Martin JL, Abbasi-Feinberg F, Aurora RN, Kapur VK, Olson EJ, Rosen CL, Rowley JA, Shelgikar AV, Trotti LM. Sleep is essential to health: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021 Oct 1;17(10):2115-2119. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.9476. PMID: 34170250; PMCID: PMC8494094.

Sajjadieh A, Shahsavari A, Safaei A, Penzel T, Schoebel C, Fietze I, Mozafarian N, Amra B, Kelishadi R. The Association of Sleep Duration and Quality with Heart Rate Variability and Blood Pressure. Tanaffos. 2020 Nov;19(2):135-143. PMID: 33262801; PMCID: PMC7680518.

Vitale KC, Owens R, Hopkins SR, Malhotra A. Sleep Hygiene for Optimizing Recovery in Athletes: Review and Recommendations. Int J Sports Med. 2019 Aug;40(8):535-543. doi: 10.1055/a-0905-3103. Epub 2019 Jul 9. PMID: 31288293; PMCID: PMC6988893.

 

 

 

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The Importance of Hydration

by: Hope Brooks

Hydration is a vital aspect of improving overall performance and recovery in sports health. Today it can be overlooked and not seen as important, but maintaining a hydration plan is proven to improve athletic performance, recovery, and reduce injuries in athletes. In this blog I will go into detail about how implementing a hydration plan will increase performance and other health benefits it has on individuals.

Hydration and Performance Enhancement

Staying hydrated is extremely important for athletes to perform their best. A study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that keeping good hydration levels helps improve endurance, strength, and thinking skills during exercise (Judge, et al., 2021). If you start to get even a little dehydrated, it can alter with your performance. People may feel tired or fatigued, and will have trouble coordinating movements, as well as finding it hard to concentrate.

Impact on Recovery

Drinking enough fluids before and after exercising also helps your body recover faster. A study by the American College of Sports Medicine discovered that drinking plenty of fluids after working out helps your muscles refill their energy stores and get rid of waste products more efficiently (Sawka, et al., 2007). Plus, maintaining hydration helps balance the minerals in your body, which lowers the chances of getting cramps or feeling tired (Popkin, D’Anci, & Rosenberg, 2010). By making hydration a big part of your recovery routine, athletes can speed up muscle repair and perform better next time they hit the field or the gym.

Health Benefits of Hydration

Keeping yourself well-hydrated doesn’t just help you perform better in sports, it’s also very beneficial for an individual’s overall health. Drinking enough water benefits the heart by making sure important nutrients get to where they need to go and keeps your blood flowing more smoothly. Staying hydrated helps your body control its temperature, which lowers the risk of suffering from heat exhaustion or heatstroke. By keeping your hydration levels up, you’re not just looking out for your athletic performance you’re also taking care of your overall health.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, staying hydrated is very important for athletes. By following a hydration plan, they can perform at their best and stay healthy. Hydration helps with performance, recovery, and prevents all kinds of health issues. So, athletes should make sure they’re drinking enough water, it’s a key part of performing at their peak performance in exercise or competitions.

Works Cited

Judge, L., Bellar, D., Popp, J., Craig, B., Schoeff, M., Hoover, D., . . . Al-Nawaiseh, A. (2021). Hydration to Maximize Performance and Recovery: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors amond collegiate track and field throwers. Journal of Human Kinetics vol. 79, 111-122.

Popkin, B., D’Anci, K., & Rosenberg, I. (2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutrition Reviews, 439-458.

Sawka, M., Burke, L., Eichner, R., Maughan, R., Montain, S., & Stachenfeld, N. (2007). Exercise and Fluid Replacement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

 

 

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UCO Department of Mass Communication Announces Film and Photography Summer Camps

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Department of Mass Communication is thrilled to announce its lineup of immersive summer camps for high school students and incoming college freshmen in the summer of 2024. These day camps provide unique opportunities for participants to explore the dynamic fields of photography and filmmaking under the guidance of experienced instructors.

 

Photography Camp
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 3–7, 2024

go.uco.edu/photocamp

 

Film Camp
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 10–14, 2024

go.uco.edu/filmcamp

The week-long Photography Camp aims to provide high school students with a comprehensive understanding of photography’s various genres and offers a preview of Central’s esteemed photography program. Participants will engage in hands-on lessons covering traditional portraiture, fashion photography, black and white film photography, darkroom techniques, Photoshop and digital printing. The camp will culminate in a gallery exhibition showcasing the students’ remarkable work. Applications are open to current, incoming, and outgoing high schoolers. The tuition fee is $375, which includes lunches. Personal DSLR cameras are recommended but not required. Financial support is available.

The UCO Film Camp will immerse participants in the captivating world of filmmaking, regardless of previous experience. Led by seasoned instructors, attendees will explore every aspect of the filmmaking process, from crafting compelling scripts to bringing stories to life on the big screen. Participants will delve into screenwriting, casting, producing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing and sound design. The camp will conclude with a grand screening of the films created by the campers, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talent and hard work to friends, family, and the local community. The tuition fee for the film camp is $375, including lunches. Spaces are limited. The application deadline is May 20, 2024.

“We are thrilled to offer these exciting summer camps, providing young aspiring photographers and filmmakers with a platform to explore their passions and hone their skills,” said Mary Carver, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Mass Communication. “Our camps are designed to offer hands-on experiences and valuable insights into these dynamic fields, preparing students for future success in the industry.”

For more information and to apply, please visit the UCO Mass Communications website at uco.edu/mcom.

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Enhancing Flexibility and Performance: Understanding PNF Stretching and Assisted Stretching Techniques

by: Deandre Crisp

PNF Stretching: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching is a dynamic technique utilized by stretch therapists to enhance muscle flexibility through a specialized method known as the “contract-relax” technique. During PNF stretching, the therapist applies controlled resistance to the muscle, activating it momentarily. Subsequently, as the muscle is instructed to relax, the therapist gently guides it into a deeper stretch. Research indicates that PNF stretching, when compared to static stretching, yields significant improvements in hamstring flexibility (Kumar, 2015).

Understanding Myofascial Tissue: Myofascial refers to the intricate network of muscle and fascia, the dense connective tissue enveloping and supporting muscles throughout the body. In its ideal state, fascia is supple, adaptable, and relaxed. However, trauma such as injuries, surgeries, or prolonged poor posture can lead to fascial tightness and restrictions, contributing to tension and discomfort across the body.

Stretching Before or After Exercise: Both pre- and post-exercise stretching are invaluable components of a comprehensive fitness regimen. Prior to a workout, stretching helps to prime the muscles, increasing tissue temperature and range of motion (ROM), thus optimizing performance. Conversely, post-exercise stretching aids in the recovery process, promoting muscle relaxation and reducing the risk of post-exertion soreness. Both PNF stretching and static stretching have been shown to enhance sprinting performance when incorporated before activity (Maharjan, 2015).

Benefits of Assisted Stretching: Assisted stretching offers a myriad of benefits, including improved circulation, enhanced flexibility, increased ROM, better posture, enhanced athletic performance, expedited recovery, pain reduction, mood elevation, and stress relief.

In Conclusion: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching emerges as a highly effective method for enhancing flexibility, improving ROM, and optimizing muscular performance. By leveraging reflexes and neuromuscular mechanisms, PNF stretching enables targeted and efficient stretching, yielding both immediate and long-term benefits for overall physical well-being. Incorporating assisted stretching techniques into a fitness routine can further enhance these benefits, promoting holistic health and performance optimization.

References
Funk DC, Swank AM, Mikla BM, Fagen TA, Farr BK. Impact of Prior Exercise on Hamstring Flexibility: A Comparison of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Static Stretching. Natl Str Cond Assoc J. 2003;17(3):489–492. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Karthikeyan R, Thiruvenkadam IA, Nedunchezhiyan A. Static stretching vs hold relax (PNF) on sustainability of hamstring flexibility in sedentary living college students. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research. 2016; 4(2): 1436-43.

Maharjan J, Mallikarjunaiah HS. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching versus static stretching on sprinting performance among collegiate sprinters. International Journal of Physiotherapy. 2015; 2(4): 619-62